Analysis

Bridget KendallDiplomatic correspondent, BBC News

Mr Kerry's description of what should be up for discussion covered quite a lot on Russia's wish list: rights for national minorities, language rights, the disarmament of irregular forces and inclusive constitutional reform, including - most importantly - the idea of federalising Ukraine.

No wonder Sergei Lavrov looked satisfied and called the talks "very very constructive", while John Kerry just looked tired. It's true the Americans are insisting that all negotiations must be subject to the approval of the government in Kiev - which has already dismissed the idea of federalism as unacceptable. But if the issue is on the table, from Russia's point of view, that is the first step.

In other ways, too, Mr Kerry seemed less than forceful: Russian troops massed on Ukraine's border were "intimidating" and "inappropriate" but he admitted they were on Russian soil so legally there could be no demand they were moved. And he made no American call for Russian troops to be pulled back in Crimea, or for the annexed territory to be returned to Ukraine. The impression left was that Washington is bending over backwards in its search for a diplomatic solution to stop this crisis getting worse.

"This principle is clear: no decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine."

He said he had also raised "strong concerns" about the presence of Russian troops on the Ukraine border, which he said created a climate of fear and intimidation.

'Differences of opinion'

Mr Lavrov has categorically denied any plans for an invasion.

At a separate briefing, the Russian foreign minister said he and Mr Kerry agreed to work with the Ukrainian government to improve rights for Russian-speaking Ukrainians and disarm "irregular forces and provocateurs".

Moscow claims that "fascists" have taken power in Ukraine, jeopardising the safety of Russian speakers.

Mr Lavrov told Russian state TV before the crisis talks on Sunday that Ukraine should come up with a new constitution "providing for a federal structure" and neutrality.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry said it deeply regretted Mr Lavrov's "patronising" remarks, describing them as an attempt to break up the country.

The Kerry-Lavrov meeting was hastily arranged after President Vladimir Putin spoke to President Barack Obama by phone late on Friday.

Mr Kerry stressed the need for a "diplomatic solution" to the crisis at his latest news conference.

"The US and Russia have differences of opinion on the events that led to this crisis - but both of us recognise the importance of finding a diplomatic solution," he said.

Pro-European activists held a rally in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa on Sunday

Meanwhile pro-Russian demonstrators gathered at a World War Two museum in Donetsk

He said the two countries would work with Ukrainian government to achieve priorities such as language rights, disarmament of "irregular forces and provocateurs", and constitutional reform.

The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says until now it has appeared as though the Russians and Americans have been talking past each other on Ukraine.

But while the Paris talks delivered no breakthrough, it did feel for the first time as though the two sides had found a point of contact - even if it was largely in response to Russia's demands, she adds.

Meanwhile, as the rest of Europe put clocks forward by one hour on Sunday, Crimea aligned its time with Moscow, jumping two hours ahead. Hundreds of people waving flags greeted the time change in the capital, Simferopol.

Voters in the mainly pro-Russian peninsula backed leaving Ukraine for Russia in a referendum a fortnight ago. But the vote has been condemned as illegal by Kiev and the UN General Assembly.

Russia has taken over most of Ukraine's military bases in Crimea.

The Pentagon believes Moscow has massed tens of thousands of troops close to Ukraine's eastern border, prompting fears of an invasion.

It comes after pro-EU protests in Kiev led to the ousting of Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych. He had faced months of demonstrations after pulling out of an association deal with Brussels.

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